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Hampton Designer Showhouse 2010

Consider it a combination made in design heaven: 20-plus designers at the top of their game, a 10,000-square-foot Hampton retreat, six weeks, and zero design restrictions. The result: a no-holds-barred showhouse in Sag Harbor, New York chock-full of color, pattern, and innovative design ideas. Meet the designers who made it happen and take a peek inside their inspiring showhouse spaces.

Not many designers know the Hamptons like Dan Barsanti & Patricia Healing, founders of HB Home. Based in East Hampton, this is their design stomping ground. Their interpretation of summer in the Hamptons? A subtle base of grass cloth, sisal, and white linen upholstery ("all inspirational because they are natural and used in bold strokes," says Barsanti) mixed with a bit of swagger--wide stripes on the walls, navy blue-and-white accents, and clean-lined overscale furnishings.

Choosing a space with such monstrous proportions was a challenge, to say the least. "The enormous windows were almost a deal breaker," laughs Barsanti. The solution? Neutral shutters to camouflage the windows, large-scale furnishings from the designers' HB Home collection for Kindel, and a combination of plain wallpaper above and wide stripes below. "It gives the room a more natural scale by lowering the sight line," explains Barsanti.

"I've always been inspired by the casual glamour of old Southampton," says Langham. "My fantasy for this dining room was a client who had grown up in one of the grand 'cottages' of the estate section, but has scaled down with just a few good pieces."

While rooted in the past, the room is anything but dated. Modern elements punctuate the space--lacquered console tables designed by Langham flank the door and shots of hot pink update the painted Georgian-style chairs. "A room can be traditional, yet modern," notes Langham. "I like to create rooms that are rooted in the past--classic, timeless, familiar--just reinterpreted to make them suit today."

Bold in its neutrality, the serene den by Patrik Lönn was inspired by what he calls "the dry beach" concept. "I was propelled by the water, sand, and driftwood on the beaches of Long Island, the majestic sailboats with their canvas sails, and Montauk Point's grand lighthouse with its bold horizontal-striped tower," says Lönn.

For intimacy, the large space was divided into two distinct seating areas, separated by a large console table on which Lönn displayed his "water feature"--a fish bowl designed by Michele Oka Doner for Steuben Glass.

Lönn's choice of materials instilled a measured cadence that prevails throughout. A custom-made wallpaper sets a graphic tone that Lönn explored further with wide horizontal stripes at the windows and on a geometric rug. "Rhythm and repetition are important in my designs," Lönn notes, "and can be subtly achieved by repeating patterns, textures, and items."

"The classic white kitchen," says designer Bob Bakes of Bakes and Company, "is an enduring testament to style--as current today as it will be in ten years." Subtle yet striking, bright white yet inviting, the kitchen Bakes designed is as classic as it is functional, as interesting in its mix of materials as it is as a whole.

Nestled between the family room and dining room, the space was designed to play nice--taking center stage, so to speak, while simultaneously shunning the spotlight. "This kitchen is clean, unassuming, and perfectly balanced, both within itself and within its environment," says Bakes. "It flows effortlessly into the adjoining breakfast area--designed as a complement to the complete project."

If there's a lesson to be learned from the butler's pantry designed by Judy Hadlock for the Southampton-based firm Old Town Crossing, it's that sometimes more is more.

"We used a textured and monochromatic scheme to create a rich environment within a very small space," notes Hadlock. A textured Phillip Jeffries covering on the walls and ceiling envelops the room. Reflective surfaces--cabinet doors are faux mirrored with mylar--visually enlarge the diminutive pantry.

When creating the family room, designers Mary Foley and Michael Cox of New York-based Foley & Cox took the assignment quite literally. The room truly is all about family.

"We imagined that a young family had inherited the property from an elderly aunt," explains Cox. "The furnishings represent a nostalgic blend of some of her favorite antiques mixed with more modern pieces."

Foley and Cox suspended orchids from fishing line so that they would appear to hover magically in front of windows. A "sea-soaked, sun-bleached" palette inspired by the pale hues of sea glass was thrown in for good measure--this being the Hamptons, after all.

Assigned a rather bland, "boxy" room just off the kitchen, Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat immediately took advantage of its saving grace--a wall of French doors onto a sunlit patio. "The room wasn't large, essentially just a box," says Chilcoat "but it had these fabulous French doors, so we were able to use a powerful color scheme thanks to the abundance of natural light."

Powerful, indeed. Walls were covered in a kaleidoscopic, large-scale patterned wallpaper from Idarica Gazzoni that somehow managed to be simultaneously dramatic and ethereal. "We felt that blurring the lines with an incredible wallpaper and a grayish-lavender ceiling color would help balance out the entire room so that no one specific element would become the star," notes Chilcoat.

To go head-to-head with such a spirited wallpaper, furnishings and artwork had to have a little attitude all their own. Shapely case goods--the coffee table and bar, for example--add sculptural appeal while the large-scale black-and-white photography and shell mirror from Mecox Gardens hold their own when paired with the bold pattern.

While the design duo highly recommends similar wall treatments at home, they have one word of warning. "Wallpapers with this level of intensity and overall scale are usually best kept in rooms that have few breaks in the walls," advises Chilcoat. "Too many openings can ruin the effect and make the space visually confusing."

"Calm" and "serenity." These are the two words most often used by visitors to the guest suite designed by Brian Brady and Franco Biscardi of Southampton's Brady Design. Not at all surprising considering the soothing palette of ivory and sand mixed effortlessly with vibrant orange and blue. "Superimposing bright cool colors on a neutral canvas is one of the hallmarks of our firm," says Brady. "It's a natural way to decorate at the beach."

As for the all-important guest suite furnishings, a few well-curated pieces are all that's needed. A British West Indies-inspired bed, 1930s commode topped with a pair of wood column lamps, and a leather-clad desk and klismos chair add an air of sophistication.

The indisputable focal point however, is an underwater photograph by Hamptons-based photographer Eric Striffler. "It's the quintessence of why people come here," says Brady. "The crystal clear blue ocean!"

Leading off the Brady Design's guest suite, the back hall was a gloomy, narrow space begging for some drama. The solution? A high gloss, glamorous wall treatment by decorative painter Boris Abromovich. With a mirror-like sheen of self-polished Venetian plaster (three layers in all) and checkerboard pattern of intersecting squares, the hallway needs no further embellishment. "It's almost as if it's a work of art on its own," says Abromovich.

Tucked above the garage, the loft space by Lisa Sternfeld is one she describes as "the hidden jewel of the house." The designer's favorite shades of blue dominate the space, warmed by neutrals and sparks of orange, green, and gold. Inspired by a similar treatment spotted in a photo of Christian La Croix's Paris studio, distressed walls ("a labor of love!" says Sternfeld) set the tone for the space.

"Part library, part artist's studio," the scheme was inspired by Sternfeld's appreciation for the process behind design. "The concept was to deconstruct design and show the process of how things are made," she explains.

With its soft lilac palette, mirrored surfaces, and elegant accessories, the master bedroom Skye Kirby and Diane Karmen designed for Lillian August took its inspiration as much from fashion magazines as interior design books. Taking their cue from some of their favorite tattered fashion tomes, the design team started with an elegant base--lilac to be exact--and then sprinkled a smattering of accessories and jewel-like accents throughout.

In the adjoining sitting area, a turreted, silver-leafed ceiling crowns the space, bejeweled by a glimmering gold chandelier. Windows are dressed in folds of lilac. "I was inspired by Paris and fashion," notes Kirby, "and by the Lillian August mirrored bed. I knew I wanted to use it as the hero in the room. It really epitomizes glamour."

Shimmering tiled surfaces (and there are lots of them) reflect the radiant Hamptons sun. For a feeling more living room than master bath, Kelley incorporated more freestanding pieces and fewer built-ins. "It's less institutional," says Kelley. "Cozier."

Enveloped in warm colors, textures, and fabrics, the master sitting room by Kevin Isbell was created as "a place in which the owners could take refuge from the never-ending parade of Hampton houseguests or simply curl up with a good book," says Isbell.

Instead of trying to remedy the room's challenging aspects--its small scale and somewhat awkward layout--Isbell embraced its idiosyncrasies. He created a small vestibule by installing a portiere curtain--punctuating the sitting room and revealing it more dramatically.

Artwork was installed gallery-style, and furnishings were carefully edited to ensure that each piece has a story. A small-scale, crescent-shaped sofa holds court in a corner, and a pair of kitschy vintage lobster lamps top an antique mirrored console table. A plaster-dipped chandelier crowns the space. "The seemingly disparate mix of things evokes the feeling of being collected over time rather than decorated," notes Isbell.

While bold color might be the star here, Stephenson considered every element before committing to any. For cohesiveness, the design incorporates circular forms--some sculptural and dramatic, some subtle. The sunburst mirror, artichoke lamps, and cylindrical antler chandelier grab attention, and the circular details in the custom headboards continue the theme. "Every element needs to be carefully thought out so that it works with an overall scheme," she says, "but not every item should make a statement. Pieces have to work together, not compete."

"A wonderful guest room should be a cocoon from the rest of the home, a place where your guests can close the door and be in their own little world," says Jack Levy. Audacious in its palette (a dazzling purple grass cloth envelops the space), Levy's guest bedroom could be described as cocoon-like.

Hints of buttery yellow on the bed linens and an antique rug (the impetus for the scheme) soften the effect of the bold wall color. A single fabric--an embroidered linen with a delicate organic pattern--provides a sense of harmony. "Whenever you can be adventurous, you should saturate a small room with deep color," advises Levy. "A jewel-box approach always works well. And using one fabric throughout is a great way to make a room look large and luxurious without appearing busy or exhausting to the eye."

With no client restrictions, Irwin Weiner saw the showhouse as an opportunity to create a space that was, well, all about him. "Typically, I design rooms to reflect my client's taste and style," says Weiner. "As my own client, this one reflects my taste, and by extension it's a somewhat intimate picture of me. The room is mostly a mix of different items I own, purchased over many years. The quirkiness of some of the items relates to my sense of humor. Items unusual and with strong shapes reflect my appreciation of sculpture and shape, in their purest form."

Quirkiness doesn't apply to furnishings alone. Weiner added several unique treatments as well. To add architectural interest to the space, he installed a fabric wainscoting, applied with large nail heads. A half-round window was camouflaged with a large piece of art painted by Weiner himself, so that it wouldn't overpower the room. Walls were painted in different hues--various shades of amethyst and stone. In need of a large-scale hanging light fixture, Weiner created one himself--white craft paper surrounding a simple pendant fixture from Home Depot.

"One's interior should reflect one's self, one's taste, and one's personality," says Weiner. "There is no single answer as to how a space should be. Live in an environment filled with people and items you love. And be bold about it!"

If James Bond is ever in need of a man cave, Bradley Stephens might just be the man to call. Confronted with a large, windowless space on the lower level, Stephens created a smart, tailored game room fit for any self-respecting international man of mystery. "The room had no windows," explains Stephens "so I decided to design the space as a modern speakeasy: a game room that inspires adventurous mixology and friendly competition."

With a generous floor plan, space was no issue. Stephens divided the room (already visually separated by recessed paneled columns) into five distinct areas--a billiards room, an elegant (and expansive) bar, a lounge area, a wine cellar, and a cozy nook with game table. An octagonal room adjacent to the space was transformed into an "archive"--finished with gray oak cabinetry lined with gold-painted books and a collection of decanters and barware.

Embracing the room's dark side, Stephens dressed walls in a high-gloss navy strie wallpaper--a dramatic contrast to the white coffered ceiling--and punctuated them with an eclectic mix of art to "add warmth and humor to the space."

Stephens' parting words of wisdom? "Don't be afraid of making an investment in the quirkier areas of your home--basements, back hallways, walk-in closets, and pantries. Dressed up, these can become favorite spaces."

Known more for a more reserved, soothing aesthetic, design duo Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler tackled the pool lounge with a surprisingly vibrant, pattern-filled scheme. "Maybe it was because the new season of Mad Men was about to premiere," says Handler, "but all of a sudden, we imagined Betty and Don Draper coming in from the pool in their vintage-era bathing suits, mixing themselves a vodka gimlet and an old-fashioned and lounging in this space until sunset."

Inspired by the orange-and-white chain-link grass cloth wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries, the scheme took on a life of its own--powerfully combining a graphic window treatment and patterned rug with the already visually-audacious grass cloth.

"Even if your design aesthetic is typically more reserved (as ours usually is), there are certain rooms in a house where you can have some decorating fun," advises Mabley. "Pool houses, powder rooms, even media rooms are great opportunities to make a design punch in a smaller, stand-alone space."

Powerful, daring, graphic--the wine room created by Wayne Nathan and Carol Egan for Paris Ceramic and Decorati.com isn't for the design faint of heart. "We thought, what if Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had a wine room in their flat in London in the 60s and had Twiggy over for cocktails," muses Nathan. "What might that look like, only updated?"

Custom-made wine cabinets from Christopher Peacock were painted electric blue as a brilliant partner to the graphic black-and-white scheme. The Union Jack backsplash (a shout out to London) is constructed from Irish blue limestone--honed, polished, and distressed to create a subtle image of the British flag.

Designers Rosemarie and Annemarie diSalvo, along with Keith Mazzei, solved the challenge of a deep but narrow porch by clearly delineating the seating areas while maintaining a cozy feeling. Vibrant fabrics by Trina Turk for Schumacher read as elegant and fun. Lending a South Beach feeling are shells and bamboo elements. Outdoor furniture by McGuire is both sleek and transitional. The designers created a vibrant color scheme they followed right down to the vase of tulips from NDI.

Situated outside the artist's studio, the porch that Elsa Soyars designed is a mix of textures and colors--a coffee table of woven recycled aluminum and teak; a handsome, washable plastic rug; and pillows in bright retro prints.

Nancy Pearson wanted something unexpected for the kitchen porch, so instead of lanterns, she opted for new but classic Visual Comfort fixtures to echo the lattice windows. She contrasted the formality of topiary with the informality of accents in island colors. The coffee table's top is taken from a cross-section of a tropical tree.

Christina Murphy settled on grays and ivories as the palette for this small, private spot because they remind her of the soft driftwood found on Long Island beaches. The large wicker chair with circular legs gives the space character.

It's difficult to find a designer able to manipulate the elements of nature. Luckily, HGTV's Chip Wade happens to be part of that rare breed. Recruited to create a backyard oasis, Wade put his fire-taming skills to good use. "With outdoor living destinations, it's fun to play with natural elements," he notes. "Because the area is next to a lavish pool, it was intuitive to bring in fire as the focal point."

Belgard pavers are used for walking and entertaining surfaces ("They're preferred for their regularity," explains Wade), and organic elements were added when possible. "The space is grounded in bluestone native to the region," he notes. A sprinkling of moss and Australian ferns mimics the green of the surrounding forest.

"I had never seen a fire pit that was done this way," says Wade, "and I love unique!"